The state government has reintroduced reservation in MD/MS seats for candidates, who have done their MBBS from medical colleges in Punjab. There are around 450 postgraduate MD/MS seats in the state.

The state government has reintroduced reservation in MD/MS seats for candidates, who have done their MBBS from medical colleges in Punjab. There are around 450 postgraduate MD/MS seats in the state.

According to a notification issued by the state's department of medical education and research, 50% (around 225) of the seats shall be filled by the Government of India at the All-India level through the All-India Post Graduate Medical Entrance Examination (AIPGMEE).

The remaining seats will be filled on the basis of AIPGMEE merit at the state level from candidates having Punjab resident status.

In further break-up of the seats of the state quota, 60% (135) seats shall be filled from amongst doctors already serving under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) and 40% (90) seats shall be open to all eligible graduates. Of these 90 open seats, the state has reserved 50% (45) seats for those who have done their MBBS or BDS from colleges affiliated to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot.

"The decision has been taken on court directions and it will help protect the rights of the candidates belonging to medical colleges of the state," said Dr Raj Bahadur, vice-chancellor, BFUHS, Faridkot. However, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, being a minority institute, has been kept out of this decision.

Sources said the practice was being followed for past several years, but was discontinued last year.Significantly, there are a total of 84 seats in dental postgraduate courses. Of these 33 seats are in private colleges and 51 are in government colleges. The AIPGMEE for 2015-16 was conducted in the first week of December.